Struggles aheadVenkitesh RamakrishnanSarbari Sinha 2707The northern Kerala district of Kannur has remained a bastion of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) ever since the party was formed in 1964. Histo
Landslide victory for Naveen Patnaik’s BJD in Odisha panchayat electionsPrafulla DasThe Bharatiya Janata Party, which emerged as main opposition by winning 297 Zilla Parishad seats in 2017, put up a pathetic performance by winning jus
Nellore and Chittoor districts lead in COVID-19 vaccination coverage in Andhra Pradesh, second dose coverage in the State at 74.16 per centRavi Sharma
Rwanda: Court finds 'Hotel Rwanda' hero guilty of terrorism Deutsche WellePaul Rusesabagina, a critic of President Paul Kagame and one-time hotel manager portrayed as a hero in a Hollywood film about the 1994 genocide, was s
Several die in suicide bombing at security checkpoint in PakistanDeutsche WelleA man detonated explosives close to a security checkpoint, killing at least three paramilitary troops and injuring several others. The banned group Te
Dresden: Prosecutors charge 6 men for Green Vault jewel heistDeutsche WelleThe six men are accused of organized robbery and arson over the spectacular theft of 18th-century jewels from the Green Vault museum in 2019. The valu
The Taliban's 'failure' to protect journalists Deutsche WelleThe Taliban pledged press freedom and "no threats" against journalists in Afghanistan. But intimidation and violence at the hands of their fighters il
Nepal: Fears about 'third wave' as COVID-19 cases surgeDeutsche WelleCoronavirus infections continue to rise amid a slow vaccination drive. Reports have also emerged of vaccination centers becoming potential hotspots be
Constitutional dialogue Disturbing signalsM. P. RajuIf constitutional dialogue is taken as tyranny, Emergency days in new fatigues may not be far behind. There are enough signs to caution the country.
Idea of secularism Secular, above allPRAKASH KARATNo other Congress leader had such clarity of vision and determination to combat communalism and establish a secularist state as Nehru. And this legacy
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Patel’s communalism—a documented recordA.G. NOORANIA cabal of self-confessed Hindu nationalists, as distinct from Indian nationalists, consistently lauds Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel because it finds in hi
Constitution Composite culture and its discontentsM.P. RAJUThe evolution of a composite culture reached its zenith during the independence movement, which found its expression in the Constitution. The Sangh Pa
Judiciary The Supreme Court: A story of ups and downsV. VENKATESANThe Supreme Court of India, whose jurisdiction and powers are wider than those of the highest courts of other Commonwealth countries and the United St
Secularism Inventing history to inculcate hatredIRFAN HABIBAs secularism and reason are driven out, prejudice and ignorance extend their sway with disconcerting rapidity. A serious task awaits parties that are
DEMOCRACY Enemies within the systemA.G. NOORANIWe have erected a democratic edifice on feudal ground. But this achievement is now at stake because we have failed to instil in our polity the values
Culture Hindu deities in JapanBenoy K. BehlEven deities that have practically been forgotten in India are still worshipped in Japan.
Indian scenario India: Privacy in perilBHAIRAV ACHARYAThe danger of mass surveillance in India is for real. The absence of a regulating law is damning for Indians who want to protect their privacy against
Politics Creed above country: Rise of the RightVENKITESH RAMAKRISHNANClose to the 70th anniversary of Independence, one finds a growing tendency of the state to control all facets of life—politics or social equations
CUBA Art of resilienceVIDYA RAMrecently in HavanaThe tourism restrictions announced by President Donald Trump may not make any drastic impact on Cuba.
A question of ideology Modi & ZionismA.G. NOORANIThe Hindu right wing’s admiration for Israel and the Zionist ideology is born out of its antipathy to Muslims.
Surveillance How NSA hacks the whole worldPRABIR PURKAYASTHARISHAB BAILEYThe NSA is building a $2-billion facility in Utah, which will have the capacity to store and process data equivalent to one million DVDs for every man
Non-Governmental Organisations A witch-huntDIVYA TRIVEDICivil society organisations that question the government or Modi face intimidation and harassment at the hands of officials.
Sangh Parivar & Hindutva In communal overdriveVenkitesh RamakrishnanAfter the resounding victory in the Lok Sabha elections, the Sangh Parivar is gearing up for the next big game, to achieve total Hindutva dominance of
Freebie phobia: The BJP’s concerted attack on redistributive transfers Although the BJP is against ‘freebies’ in principle, in practice it has been forced to use a version of concessions and transfers to counter the o
SlideshowLiving on the edgeThey are river people, whose lives ebb and flow with the waters of the Brahmaputra in a timeless rhythm. But now, hydroelectric projects and homogenis